Marla Sampson, Office Manager

Marla has many years of experience supporting programs and people in a variety of private and public roles, most recently as a Program Assistant at UVIC. Along with her in-depth knowledge and experience in Indigenous protocols and culture, Marla also brings strong financial, process, and people-oriented skills to the WLC. Marla is a lifelong learner, having obtained numerous courses and certificates, including her Aboriginal Health Care Administrators Program.

Marla is currently working on completing her Diploma in Business Administration.

Eryn Rogers, Policy and Negotiation Analyst

Eryn Rogers is a Policy and Negotiation Analyst for the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council. She moved to Canada from Aotearoa/New Zealand in mid-2022 and is looking forward to working for W̱SÁNEĆ peoples at these important Tables.

For the past six years, Eryn has worked in Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi settlement negotiations in Aotearoa. Most recently, she acted as the Negotiation and Settlement Manager for the Ngāti Maru Negotiations and the Taranaki Maunga negotiations. Before that, she studied Law and Pacific Studies at the University of Otago.

As a Policy and Negotiation Analyst for the Leadership Council, Eryn wants to help establish durable partnerships with neighboring First Nations, the Crown and other local stakeholders in a way that will benefit W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, restore respect for W̱SÁNEĆ knowledge and traditions, and provide flexibility for growth over time.

ĆILTEN (Phil Tom), Knowledge Weaver

ĆILTEN (Phil) is from the Tsartlip First Nation, where he has lived his entire life. A father of four and a grandfather, he comes from the Tom and Bartleman family in Tsartlip.

As the Knowledge Weaver with the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, he is involved in revitalizing clam gardens in the Gulf Islands, including Salt Spring Island and Fulford Harbour. Working alongside Parks Canada and community members, he helps restore these traditional sites, ensuring the sustainability of sea life and reclaiming Indigenous stewardship of the land.

Phil’s passion for this work stems from his upbringing, where clams and shellfish were a central part of life. He hopes to see the project grow into a self-sustaining initiative, supporting both community food security and economic opportunities.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors. He believes reconnecting with these historical sites honors W̱SÁNEĆ ancestors and traditions.

Nicole Joe, Administrative Assistant

Nicole Joe is a member of the Cowichan Tribes and grew up in the Tsawout territory, where her grandmother and mother are from. Her late father was from Cowichan, and she remains deeply connected to both communities.

As the Administrative Assistant at the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, Nicole supports the team in their daily operations. She brings experience in administration, social development, and office management, and she is excited to contribute to a welcoming and positive work environment.

Her passion for the work aligns with her cultural values, instilled by her parents and grandparents. She hopes to support W̱LC’s initiatives in a meaningful way, ensuring the team’s efforts continue to grow.

Ned Taylor, Local Government Program Manager

Ned was born and raised in W̱SÁNEĆ and lək ̓ ʷəŋən territory and has spent his entire life here. A graduate of Reynolds Secondary School (2017), he describes himself as outgoing and passionate, valuing both time with people and moments of solitude. He approaches everything he does—whether work, hobbies, or personal growth—with full dedication and energy.

As W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council’s Local Government Program Manager, Ned will focus on strengthening relationships with local governments, including the CRD, the District of Saanich, and the Islands Trust. His work will involve supporting WLC’s engagement in these spaces and helping advance W̱SÁNEĆ priorities through collaboration and advocacy.

With four years of experience in local government—including serving on Saanich Council and the CRD Board—Ned brings valuable leadership and policy expertise. He’s eager to contribute meaningfully to WLC’s work while deepening his understanding of W̱SÁNEĆ history and governance.

Marissa Jim, Junior Marine and Land Use Planner

Marissa, whose ancestral name is I¸MIUW̱, is W̱SÁNEĆ and Penelakut with ties to Ditidaht. She feels privileged to have lived in both of her territories and currently resides in W̱S͸ḴEM. As a mother of two boys and a dog owner, she finds peace on the land and by the water. Deeply rooted in her culture, Marissa is dedicated to serving her people and strengthening her community.

As WLC’s Junior Marine and Land Use Planner, she works alongside Shauna Johnson to engage the community in planning for the future. Her role involves organizing engagement sessions, gathering community input, and ensuring W̱SÁNEĆ voices guide land and marine use planning. She also participates in discussions on territorial matters, aiming to bring her people’s aspirations to life.

With a background in Indigenous studies, anthropology, and archaeology, Marissa has worked as a Marine and Land Use Researcher and in BC’s Aboriginal Doula Program. She values cultural protocols and is committed to preserving and uplifting community knowledge.

Shantelle Voyageur, Women’s Coordinator

Shantelle Voyageur is from Victoria, BC. Her late father, Carl Wamiss, was from Kingcome Inlet, Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw, and her mother, Judy Henry, is from Pauquachin First Nation, W̱SÁNEĆ.

As the new Women’s Coordinator, Shantelle is dedicated to creating spaces where women can gather, share meals, stories, history, and language, and support one another—especially after the challenges of COVID. She aims to focus on mental health and wellness, fostering connection and empowerment through meaningful programs and events.

She brings experience in coordinating and facilitating community gatherings, having worked on the Comprehensive Community Planning (CCP) for Pauquachin and as a summer program supervisor for youth. Her personal journey with mental health makes this role especially important to her, as she hopes to inspire women to step out of their comfort zones and reconnect with one another.

When she’s not working, Shantelle enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews and relaxing at home by the waterfront in Sidney. She’s looking forward to bringing women together and strengthening community bonds through her work.

Ethan Cire, Communications Coordinator

Originally from Treaty 6 territory (Alberta), Ethan is Cree-Métis and recently moved to Victoria with his wife—embracing the philosophy that there’s “no time like the present.” His mother is Cree, and his father is of Hungarian descent.

As the Communications Coordinator for the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council and IMB Secretariat, Ethan serves as the key connection between the IMB and 11 First Nations. His role is to ensure clear, accessible communication, making sure vital information reaches each nation effectively.

With a BA in Film and a minor in English, he brings a strong background in media and content creation to this role. He previously worked as an Indigenous Student Liaison at Wilfrid Laurier University and hopes to eventually pursue a master’s in Communications. His experience in film production will play a crucial role in making governance information more digestible and accessible for all.

His goal is to open up dialogue, ensuring that communities not only receive information but can truly engage with it—thinking critically, understanding it fully, and working together toward collective goals. He’s passionate about leveraging modern technology to simplify and enhance communication between nations.